Tour guide Abby (I believe) made telling the Bannerman tale very fun and interesting! It was very cool to learn about the history and get a good look at the island itself. Great scenery and friendly staff made for a great experience:)

I'VE BEEN FASCINATED WITH BANNERMAN ISLAND EVER SINCE I FIRST SAW IT BACK IN 1969 WHILE TRAVELING BY RAIL FROM ALBANY, NY TO NEW YORK CITY. SADLY IT HAD ALREADY BEEN RAVAGED BY THE FIRE THAT AUGUST. BUT I BEGAN RESEARCHING ITS HISTORY WHICH STILL FASCINATES AND INTERESTS ME TO THIS DAY. I WAS NOT ABLE TO TOUR THE ISLAND UNTIL NOW, AND AM ALREADY LOOKING FORWARD TO RETURNING NEXT YEAR. I WAS IMPRESSED WITH ALL THE WORK THAT THE BANNERMAN'S TRUST GROUP HAS ACCOMPLISHED IN ORDER TO PRESERVE THE STRUCTURES AND PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR VISITORS. I'M ESPECIALLY AMAZED AT THE RESTORATION OF THE RESIDENCE AND LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THE SECOND FLOOR UPON COMPLETION. I MUST COMMEND EVERYONE INVOLVED WITH THE TOUR STARTING WITH THE KIND GENTLEMAN WHO CHECKED ME IN AT THE DOCK IN BEACON AND ALLOWED ME TO BOARD EARLIER WHEN SEVERAL PEOPLE DID NOT SHOW UP AT THEIR APPOINTED TIME. OUR 2 TOUR GUIDES WERE JOE OR JOHN (SORRY) AND MARY WHO TOOK MY PICTURE. JOE'S PRESENTATION WAS SO WELL DOCUMENTED WITH PHOTOS, DRAWINGS AND INTERESTING STORIES THAT HE SHOULD MAKE A VIDEO OF IT FOR THOSE LESS FORTUNATE WHO CAN'T VISIT THE ISLAND. THE TOUR THAT I EXPERIENCED ON 10/20/17 FAR EXCEEDED MY EXPECTATIONS. I CANNOT WAIT TO RETURN TO BANNERMAN ISLAND. THANK YOU ONE AND ALL FOR YOUR HARD WORK IN PRESERVING THE CASTLE, AND CONCERN THAT WE ALL ENJOYED OUR VISIT.

The staff was very enjoyable and knowledable about the island and the Castle. We happened to have a beautiful day and the scenery and colors made it that much more enjoyable! Would highly recommend this gem before nature takes its course.